Piping plover families thriving in grasses at Cape Henlopen

CAPE HENLOPEN (Aug. 8, 2011) – Late last week, piping plover broods with chicks or fledglings were splitting their time between the tidal flats on the bayside at the lower tides and the interior of the Point at the higher tides. 

The most recent surveys were conducted at the higher tides, making a full count on chicks difficult, since the broods are often tucked away in areas thick with beach grass and sedges. Previous surveys the last week of July noted that five pairs of adults were spotted tending 10 chicks. Also, one nest reported as being both early and late in the last update failed to hatch its three remaining eggs, but the one chick that hatched was doing well.

As the piping plover breeding season starts to wind down, the surveys for seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilis) are just beginning. Seabeach amaranth is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act and grows in the same habitats preferred by piping plovers – open beach, sparsely vegetated dunes and overwashes. The plants don’t generally begin sprouting until mid-July and can found all the way into October. Locations where amaranth has been found in recent years include Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore State Parks.

The first round of surveys for amaranth has been completed at Delaware Seashore and Cape Henlopen. Although no amaranth was found at Cape Henlopen, the stretch of beach between Key Box and Conquest roads at Delaware Seashore had 21 plants observed.

For more information on beachnesters and monitoring efforts, please contact Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey at 302-382-4151, or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.

Vol. 41, No. 208